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Pet’s Place: Rocco’s Modern Life on the Farm

A Chihuahua moves from Manhattan to upstate New York to live with his owners in an 1800 farmhouse

Brenna Malmberg July 10, 2017

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Photos from Shawn Lang (right) and Kristofer Prepelica

Pet at a Glance
Pet: Rocco, a Chihuahua
Age: 14 years
Location: Hortonville, New York
Owner: Shawn Lang, a product designer, and Kristofer Prepelica, an oncologist

Meet Rocco: He’s basically a little love bug, Shawn Lang says. He’s named after Rocko from Rocko’s Modern Life, an animated Nickelodeon series from the 1990s.

The town dog and the country dog: He grew up and spent a good part of his life as a city slicker living in Manhattan. Then, in 2012, his owners, Lang and Kristofer Prepelica, purchased a home in upstate New York, and the trio took on life in the country. “He’s adjusted to farm life pretty well and loves to explore the property, roll around in the grass and chase squirrels,” Lang says.

Where the green grass grows: This is Rocco’s new home: an 1800 farmhouse known as the Woodman Cottage. The couple saw the house as an opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on a long remodeling project. They have chronicled their journey on their blog called The Farmhouse Project.

Adjusting to farm life: It took a while for Rocco to adjust to the new home, Lang says. They went from a small city apartment to a big farmhouse. On top of all the new, unfamiliar space, the couple were starting renovation projects. Rocco commonly follows the couple around while they work, especially when they’re hanging up new pieces of art. On this day, they were getting ready to hang up an old Dutch oil painting found at a local antique store.

Watching while they work: Rocco sits and watches the home renovations, and he sneaks in cuddles and kisses at every break, Lang says. Prepelica also frequently works from home, and Rocco is never far away.

Break time: A patch of sun beckons Rocco to lay down. He has many favorite spots around the house, such as the plush rugs on the hardwood floor.

House of beds: Rocco has beds all over the house, and he even has one on the porch. “He also loves sneaking up on the sofa,” Lang says.

Rocco also isn’t getting any younger. He’s “14 years young,” as Lang likes to say. Even with that attitude, Rocco still needed a little assistance to get up to Lang and Prepelica’s bed, so they added some doggie stairs.

Favorite activity: The country life seems to suit Rocco, even if he was a little hesitant to embrace it at first. He eagerly jumps at the chance to go for a walk around the area or a trip to the post office.

Pet's Place: Rocco's Modern Life on the Farm

Bringing life to a old home: “Having Rocco around the house brings us such joy,” Lang says. “He completes our little farmhouse family.” This little family has completed most of the home’s renovations, and now they can enjoy the peace and calm that came with the big move.

Your turn: Have you moved with a pet before? Tell us about how the move went in the Comments.

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Comments (37)

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Sheryll Lyn

Yes, there eight!

Like November 22, 2017 at 12:56PM

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Laura Clarke

My husband & I foster rescued dogs on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, where we live 6 months a year. Four years ago, after fostering Millie for almost six months, we brought her back to Vancouver Island, Canada where we live the other 6 months of the year. Millie was too large to travel in the cabin so she had to be transported in cargo. We flew from Cancun to Toronto and then from there to Vancouver. Marvelous Millie held herself until after we exited the Vancouver airport. That was more than 12 hours!